First Return to the Netherlands page |
| Bookmarks: | the Netherlands | Bintan | |
| Other holidays: | Sydney 2001 | Honeymoon 2000 | My parents' visit '99 |
Back to the Netherlands (23 September - 7 October 1998)
| At the end of
September (after 1 year in Australia) we went (back) to
Holland. Because of various occasions in this year (me
turning 30, my niece 10, my sister 40, my dad 70 and my
parents 45th anniversary) we had decided, even before I
migrated, to visit Holland. Our timing was so that we
were there for 3 birthdays and a family party. Not so much a relaxing, sun-soaked vacation, as a mad dash to visit all the friends and family. Nevertheless great to catch up with everyone and surprising how familiar everything felt (although a year is of course not that long). That included driving on the right side of the road again, although I do have to admit that at first I thought it was strange (to sit on the lefthand-side of the car). |
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The weather started off surprisingly well. I had warned Lisa that autumn-weather in Holland would be like winter in Perth but in the first week it was nice and sunny. The second week though it got cloudy and rainy, and the temperature dropped to a measly 8 degrees, lower than the coldest day in Perth I had experienced.
That, the traffic-jams (and petrol-prices), crowded streets and houses-in-a-row (terraces) made me realise that I have made a good choice with migrating to Australia. Even though it was good to be able to see everyone again.
Because of all the visiting, we didn't do much touristing. Only on our visit to Pink in Amsterdam did we also visit the Anne Frank house. Very impressive and good that such a testimony of the cruelties of the war exists.
Other highlights were the family-party (of the immediate family) for my dad's birthday and the one (of the whole family) for my parents' anniversary. Lisa was treated (unexpectedly) to a 'real' Dutch family birthday and spoiled with gifts. The Dutch lessons paid off as Lisa was able to communicate, albeit in simple words, with my 3-year old niece and the rest of the family. With the Dutch children's verses book and CD for her birthday and the advanced course next year we hope she keeps improving.
It was hard to say goodbye again, especially as we won't visit until April 2000.
Bintan Island (9 - 12 October 1998)
To recover from all the reunions and goodbyes, and also to acclimatise to warmer weather as well as have a 'real' holiday, we had booked a few days on the tropical island of Bintan on the way back. Bintan is an Indonesian island, only 45 minutes off Singapore by ferry, so it wasn't much of a detour.
Unfortunately we both got a cold from the Dutch weather so that we had to cancel our plans to go diving. Instead we relaxed on the beach and at the pool. That was fine with us.
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We stayed in the Sedona Bintan Lagoon hotel, a resort with 7 restaurants, 2 pools and all the mod-cons you can think of. We didn't even bother with all the (watersports)activities but divided most of our days between resting, swimming in the pool and walking on the beach. | |
Compilation-shot of the pool
Because the resort is so close to Singapore it mainly caters for Singaporeans, Western businessmen there and their families. All prices were in Singapore dollars so no bargain shopping, but a nice way to relax before returning home, to Perth.
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